Tragedy struck in Ohio last week as a pregnant mother lost her life after being accidentally shot in the back by her own 2-year-old son. The devastating incident occurred when the toddler found a loaded weapon on a nearby nightstand, according to local police. Laura Ilg, 31 years old, made multiple frantic calls to 911, informing them of being shot and experiencing difficulty breathing. Despite being rushed to the hospital for an emergency cesarean section, doctors were unable to save the baby, and Ilg passed away three hours later.
Police Chief David Smith of Norwalk revealed that the house was equipped with various safety features, but unfortunately, key precautions were overlooked. Baby gates, typically closed, had been left open, allowing the child access to the bedroom where Ilg was doing laundry. Unbeknownst to her, the toddler followed and began playing with the loaded Sig Sauer Micro 9mm gun, causing it to discharge accidentally. Authorities discovered additional firearms, a loaded shotgun, and rifle within the residence. Smith emphasized the importance of securely locking up firearms, removing their ammunition, and never leaving them unattended.
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on the alarming frequency of unintentional shootings involving children. Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit organization, analyzed data from 2015 to 2022, revealing that the majority of such incidents occur within the home, especially during the summer months. Shockingly, their research indicates that between 2015 and 2022, at least 895 children aged 5 and under managed to find a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or others. This year alone has witnessed numerous tragic occurrences, including a 6-year-old boy shooting his infant sibling, a 3-year-old boy fatally shooting himself, and a 4-year-old girl accidentally killing another child.
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